Ottawa holds Air Canada to layoff rule obligations

[PPP]

Ottawa holds Air Canada to layoff rule obligations
July 25, 2008

CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - Air Canada <ACa.TO> must live up to its labor-code obligations to laid-off workers as it embarks on a plan to cut 2,000 jobs to deal with surging fuel prices, the Canadian government ruled on Friday.

But Air Canada, the country's biggest airline, said the ruling would not affect its plans to complete its cuts by November 1.

"I have instructed labor program officials to monitor the situation to ensure that any affected employees receive their entitlements under the Canada Labor Code," Labor Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn said in a statement.

Air Canada had asked for a waiver from its labor code obligations after it announced the cuts in June. Union officials had argued there was no justification for Air Canada to be exempted.

Under the rules, employers cutting 50 or more jobs in a four-week period must notify the minister, union officials and nonunion employees at least 16 weeks before the termination date.

They must also establish a joint planning committee to make all reasonable efforts to develop an adjustment program for the terminated staff, the ministry said.

Air Canada plans to lay off 7 percent of its workforce by November as it reduces capacity amid record fuel costs and an economic slowdown.

"Our objective was to proceed with mitigation discussions as quickly as possible for the sake of the affected employees so that everyone knows what their options are," Air Canada spokeswoman Angela Mah said.

"The only question was whether those talks take place within the framework of the collective agreement or the Canada Labor Code."

Among the affected workers are 632 flight attendants, more than half of whom will lose their jobs due to the shutdown of cabin-crew bases in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Winnipeg, Manitoba, the carrier has said.

Flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, plan rallies across the country on Monday to protest the base closures.

[daveg]

Well at least they put their employees in hotels. Im sure its not part of the reason they are bleeding money.

[tonysoprano]

Well at least they put their employees in hotels. Im sure its not part of the reason they are bleeding money.

Dave. The hotel thing really got you, eh? I understand, as management you administer the koolaid. With all due respect, kicking a man, a company or anything when they're down shows no class. That's the kind of koolaid you're shoving down their throats? Pretty pathetic. WJ has had some embarrassing moments and I've always supported your crews when the topic has come up. I don't know if I will be such a fool in the future. Good thing the skin is thick and the humor is abbundant, at least on this side. What ever happened to Clive's easy going, happy koolaid? Seems like a different bunch these days. Know what? Nobody cares. In fact, you're building quite a reputation for yourselves around here. As a leader, I'd be embarrassed.

[Hoov]

Well at least they put their employees in hotels. Im sure its not part of the reason they are bleeding money.

I don't understand why they can't just sleep in the planes or in the lounges at the airports.

[tonysoprano]

....no need Hoov. AC pays for the nice bed and even part of the booze.

[daveg]

Tony, i'm not in management. That's Dave P and he is an increadible guy. Please don't get us mixed. I'm just a lonely ole line pilot like yourself.

I don't want to derail this topic but getting hotel rooms for YYC base pilots is dumb and a waste of money IMHO. I know for a fact that as "koolaid drinking owners", many other employees feel the way I do. There has been no problem with new hires in the past knowing that WestJet does not pay for hotels. All of a sudden some new guys come on to Avcanada to air their grief. Maybe its because they wanted Air Canada and got PFO'ed or know they are laying off and take the next best thing and want what they could of had at AC...I don't know...don't care.

Also you painting and entire company by the comments of a few posters on Avcanada is just plain dumb and you know it. I don't paint your company as a bunch of self centered arrogant know it alls by your posts. I know full well that there are a ton of good people there that are great friends of mine. My neighbour for example. Anyway....where were we?

[tonysoprano]

Well put Dave. Someday you should be in management. I was not aware that we were talking about YYC based pilots. I thought the jist of it was pilots hired living outside of YYC. If you don't live in YYC, what's the deal for a newhire? Having said that, AC doesn't care where you live, nor do most other companies. You get a hotel and bond with other newhires and drink the same koolaid. But as you put it "Im sure its not part of the reason they are bleeding money." Pretty lame and has nothing to do with why AC is losing money. But pretty "smartass" eh? I do admire the humorous effort though. That's my style too.

[E-Flyer]

Looks like Air Canada is not getting away with this as easily as they had preferred.

[Four1oh]

Well at least they put their employees in hotels. Im sure its not part of the reason they are bleeding money.

WJ has had some embarrassing moments and I've always supported your crews when the topic has come up. I don't know if I will be such a fool in the future. Good thing the skin is thick and the humor is abbundant, at least on this side.